N Korea warns of more missile launches

Reporter: Shane McLeod

MAXINE McKEW: With trademark defiance, North Korea has tonight threatened to fire more missiles and warned of all-out countermeasures if the international community punishes it with new sanctions. South Korea says it has information that the North has other missiles fuelled up and ready to be launched. Meanwhile, a split has emerged over how to deal with the impoverished state. The United States, Japan and Britain are pushing for strong action by the United Nations Security Council, while China and Russia are urging restraint. North Asia correspondent Shane McLeod has this report.

SHANE McLEOD: North Korea says its launch of seven ballistic missiles was a military exercise, and a successful one at that.

NORTH KOREAN OFFICIAL (TRANSLATION): The DPRK will have no option but to take stronger physical actions of other forms should any other country dare take issue with the exercises and put pressure upon it.

SHANE McLEOD: The threat is unlikely to deter its upset neighbours. Japan wants the UN Security Council to impose sanctions over yesterday's launch of seven missiles into the Sea of Japan.

SHINZO ABE, JAPANESE CABINET SECRETARY (TRANSLATION): We think UN Security Council members, especially its permanent members, should recognise the situation properly and they should not appear to sympathise with North Korea under any circumstances.

SHANE McLEOD: Those strong words are targeted at China and Russia, who aren't convinced sanctions are needed.

JIANG YU, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY TRANSLATION: We have already expressed our serious concern over this event. China is now keeping in close touch with and having consultations with all parties. We hope all sides can continue to remain calm and restrained.

SHANE McLEOD: The US is sending its top envoy to North Asia, hoping to develop a coordinated response.

CHRISTOPHER HILL, US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: China was very actively engaged in a diplomatic process, and then, boom! The North Koreans go ahead and launch a...launch a missile. Well, you know, I don't speak for the Chinese on this but probably, they weren't very pleased with that.

SHANE McLEOD: North Korea says it wants negotiations too. But the US says those will only take place under the six-nation talks on its nuclear programs.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, US SECRETARY OF STATE: The wisdom of the six-party framework is that it is now not a matter of the United States and North Korea, it is really a matter of the region saying to North Korea that it has to change its behaviour.

SHANE McLEOD: Australia is backing the diplomatic push.

JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: This is as worrying an issue as you can have, because you have a rogue state behaving in this provocative and very belligerent fashion. What we have to try and do is, in a strong way - not in an appeasing or begging way - to appeal to North Korea's self-interest, because the rest of the world has spoken very loudly and very strongly.

KIM BEAZLEY, OPPOSITION LEADER: Now the United Nations needs to intervene. We support the Government's approach to the United Nations to get them to intervene to put all this back on track.

SHANE McLEOD: North Korea maintains it has the right to fire missiles and has hinted it will do so again. South Korea and the US believe that up to four more missiles may be waiting to launch. Shane McLeod, Lateline.